The Indian Panorama celebrates 18th year of publication at “Gratitude Gala”

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The Indian Panorama celebrated its 18^th year of publication by hosting a “Gratitude Gala” on February 25, 2024, in Hicksville, NY.

Founding publisher Prof. Indrajit Singh Saluja’s 80^th birthday was also celebrated the same day, at the ballroom of Pearl Banquet Hall.

India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj was the chief guest and presented awards to four honorees. All were honored with a citation scroll, a shawl, and a model of the Golden Temple.

Congressman-elect Tom Suozzi, D-NY, dropped by to thank Saluja and the Indian community for their support during the recent election. Blitz India’s representatives came from India to launch the US edition at the event. Also present among special guests was Padma Shri recipient Dr. Sudhir Parikh, Chairman and CEO of Parikh Worldwide Media and ITV Gold.

Saluja thanked the guests present, as well as his readers and the Indian community for their support over 18 years.

The four honorees included Dr. V.K. Raju (Life Achievement Honor) whose mission is to eliminate childhood blindness through his Eye Foundation of America; Ranju Batra (Excellence in Promotion of Diplomacy Award) honors diplomats at the Diwali Stamp – Power of One awards after securing the Diwali Stamp from USPS; Harry Singh Bolla (Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award)  runs a billion-dollar chain of gas stations and has started a charity to support good causes here in New York and India; and Purnima Desai (Excellence in Culture Award) is the founder of Shikshayatan Cultural Center and Sriniketan Foundation to encourage and support Indian music and arts through training and events.

They were also presented citations from Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman.

Ambassador Kamboj in her address described Indian Americans as “the best diaspora in the world” adding, “We are so proud of you.” She praised The Indian Panorama for reflecting the views of people and the Indian diaspora which she said, has an “unstoppable spirit.”

Suozzi said he sees the US-India relationship as the most important in the next 50 years. “These two will define the long-term global world,” and whether it would abide by the “noble principles” outlined in the constitutions of both countries. While in the US Congress, Suozzi said he would do everything possible to represent the diverse Indian community in his district.

Blitz India Chairman and Editor-in-Chief Deepak Dwivedi and CEO Sandeep Saxena, released printed copies of the paper along with special guests. Talking to ITV Gold, Dwivedi complimented Dr. Parikh for his achievements, saying many people knew about him and how he has strengthened US-India relations and the role of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Dr. Parikh congratulated Dwivedi for launching India Blitz, which also has a UK edition, and also congratulated Saluja for his “great work in the media,” over the 18 years of The Indian Panorama.

Two more media events followed. Journalists Beyond Borders (JBB), a fraternity organization founded by Prof Saluja in 2022, was formally launched and the logo revealed.  Saluja felicitated his friend Parveen Chopra on the first anniversary of his outlet, ALotusInTheMud.com.

Dilip Chauhan from NYC Mayor’s office, congratulated The Indian Panorama on behalf of Mayor Eric Adams.

Some of the representatives from community organizations present at the event included Gobind Munjal and Dr Jagdish Gupta from AIA (Association of Indians in America); Dr Avinash Gupta, Srujal Parikh, and Alok Kumar from FIA-Tristate (Federation of Indian Associations); and Thomas Abraham from GOPIO (Global Organization of People of Indian Origin-US; George Abraham from the Indian National Overseas Congress -USA; Mohinder Singh, former president of Gurdwara Sikh Cultural Society, Richmond Hill, and founder President of Gurdwara Baba Makhan Shah Sikh Center; Gurmej Singh, former president of Gurdwara Baba Makhan Shah Lobana.

Other media representatives present included Sunil Hali (Radio Zindagi and The Indian Eye), Sharanjit Singh Thind (South Asian Insider), and Varinder Bhalla  (Bollywood Insider)

Entertainment began with dancers from Battery Dance and ended with a feisty Bhangra. In between, dancers trained by Shilpa Jhurani and Rimli Roy showed their classical moves.

Piya Jyoti Kachroo, ITV anchor and producer, emceed the event.